For the next two years I will be living and working in Yaounde, Cameroon. I want to let everyone know of my experience living in this country. As a result, I have decided to create a blog where I can write about my everyday experiences. I will post as often as I can. Come as much as you would like and feel free to leave comments. I hope you enjoy.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Trip to Limbe

I finally had time this week to sit down and write about my wonderful four day weekend. My friends and I took a great, relaxing trip to the beach town of Limbe. Limbe is located in the Southwest Province of Cameroon and is an English speaking area. I was confused for a second when the waitress at the restaurant asked me in English what I wanted to drink.

Our journey to Limbe was quick. We had to pass through the city of Douala, an extremely busy port city in the Littoral Province. Before passing through Douala, I thought Yaounde was hectic and crowded. However, I think Douala has Yaounde beat in that department. As we entered, we were met with a mass of people walking on the streets, riding motorcycles, and selling various goods. A little passed Douala, we were stopped by a police officer who refused to give my car papers back unless we gave him 1,000cfa. Even further, we stopped on the side of the road to check out a snake being sold to a natural healer (picture). As we kept pushing further towards Limbe we passed many rubber, banana (picture of bananas protected by bags), and palm tree plantations. Most of the plantations are owned by the CDC, Cameroonian Development Corporation, who also provide housing for the plantation workers.

We stayed at the Seme New Beach Hotel in Limbe. It was an excellent choice because they had an awesome beachfront behind the hotel. From the beach you were able to see towering volcanic mountains covered with mist and magnificent vegetation, which included palm trees and various other tropical trees. It was an absolutely beautiful sight. I have plenty of pictures. We arrived Thursday and left Sunday. We went to the beach every single day (well, except Sunday). It was a very relaxing and fun time to be able to swim out past the breaking waves and look back at the scenery. Oh! I also forgot to mention that Limbe has beautiful black sand beaches (it looked more dark brown than black) due to past lava flows of Mount Cameroon.

We visited the Botanical gardens, which had various plant life. We had a delicious grilled fish dinner at night (during a power outage) on the beach. We also took a stroll through the fish market where we saw the daily life of a fishing community. It was quite interesting to see the fishing canoes. They would sail out into the water, catch fish and return with a boatful of fresh fish. I enjoyed watching them roll their canoes back onto the beach by the use of cans (picture). We drove out to the nearby city of Buea. We took a nice drive around and visited the University. We were not able to see Mount Cameroon due to the thick fog. Afterwards, we had lunch at a nearby city, where we ate Eru (a vegetable pronounced arrow) made with palm oil and water fufu made from cassava.

I didn’t want to leave the little town of Limbe. Although, we hardly saw the sun, we had a wonderful time swimming in the beach and enjoying the Southwest Province.

I have begun reading your comments and viewing your pictures. I am an African American and I have begun making plans to move to Yaounde. I will know more in the next several weeks. Then I can make plans in earnest to come there. I will be working with the Presbyterian Church USA and would be nice to see another African descent person from the diaspora in the Cameroon. I will keep you posted regarding the negotiations. Ken

Wow sounds like a crazy time! That snake picture is awesome. Did the police officer give your car paperwork back? How did you week go with your boyfriend? Glad to hear you are having fun.. take care girl... Stephanie

Hi Jennifer, I loved your trip across Cameroon.I am a Cameroonian myself and I'm sorry for what the corrupt police officer had to put you through.Have a nice time and enjoy Cameroon.That is Africa in miniature.So don't even bother visiting another African country.Bon

I grew up in Limbe and after living abroad (Boston) for twenty years, i at times tend to forget how beautiful limbe really is.looking at your pictures reminded me of that and brought tears to my eyes.Thank and Best regards,Oscar.

hello, do you know how I can seek justice from two people who scammed me for money from Limbe cameroon, they said they export reptiles and I sent them money and never recieve nothin from them, I want to report them to the authorites, please email me at ( sep21@rushcomm.ca )

hi dear thanks alot for your pictures and lovely comments about limbe. i live in the uk but was born in limbe. my don't understand when i tell themm how beatiful limbe is and how i can't think of going anywhere else on holidays except limbe. i will forward them your website so they can see for themselves. well done gurl. enjoy cameroon!

thankz for da memory,i don't know wat to say anymore,rather than thank u.i grow up in dat very limbe and i truly believe dat was da best city in cameroon.i wish going there again one day.i wish u a happy stay in cameroon and if u don't mine,can u pls send me ur nom.

Hey Jennifer, your Limbe blog really made me miss home. I was born in Limbe but live in Canada now. Last time I was there was Jan. 06. My mom just left Houston today heading back to Limbe after an extended holiday at my brother's. Next time you're in Limbe, ask for "Aunty Blacky", the first female cabby in Cameroon. I'm sure she'll have lots to tell you about her walmart experiences and such. Good job girl, and God bless.

hi jennifer...when i read the title life in cameroun, it is interesting because i'm also a foreign of this land i'm a filipino and first time to go here in cameroun...i like the pictures...i also experienced what you've experienced with the police man...i just want to take some photos and there's a guy get my camera and ask for a money...anyways, enjoy your stay in cameroun...i wish we can also go to limbe...

when next you visit limbe don,t forget to pay a visit to any of the Achu eating houses. They are allover Chucrh street. Ask for sweet Mother.This dish originates from the NWP.It's an experience you will not want to miss. CMusa

I bet you Limbe is a marvelous place to be. If u are not careful, you can even forget about what u came there for. Went next you go there please call this lady 237 77375507 mami mile four who prepares delicious Achu and yellow soup.

cameroon is a great place but the gov't is not doing enough to stop dis corruption and the employment scheme is base on "who you know" at the top....but without that cameroon overall is great,peacefull place to invite or live in.

Woww this was really interesting to leave a comment about :) I am doing a school project about french speaking countries and it said that Cameroon speaks French I too was confused when it said aboutt the waitress. I would just like to ask you if it does actually speak all english or some french aswell? Thank you SchoolGirl97

Jennifer i am happy you are enjoying my home town, ever since i bought my ticket for cameroon, coming dec 14, ive just been dreaming bout spending time with my family in limbe. My gurl friend and i will be c oming home for my brother's taditional wedding, i cant wait to come home, all i think bout is the roasted fish they have in down beach, i know you know exactly what im talking bout, see u cant find that here in houston so i have to pay $1800 just to go eat fresh fish from Limbe. I love your pics and im happy you rally enjoyed your self in my city (Limbe). c u in dec 2010.Terence

Dear Jenny, Thank you very much for your interesting insights!I will be for a couple of days in Yaonde and Douala and wanted to ask you a couple of questions as it is my first time in the country. Would you be so kind to send me a contact email or number?my email is nfotilas@gmail.com